18 people are assisting the police in investigating the suspected police for suspicion of handing over the phone card to let the criminals commit fraud.

Singapore Police Force issued a statement on Monday (February 24) saying that the anti-fraud command launched an island-wide law enforcement operation from February 18 to 24, arresting 11 men and two women aged 17 to 33. They are suspected of providing 10 to 30 postpaid SIM cards to criminals in exchange for cash or online gambling points.

In addition, two men and three women aged between 20 and 30 are also assisting the police in the investigation.

Under the Miscellaneous (Public Order and Nuisance) Act, providing fraudulent registration telephone cards to others to assist in crimes and profit from them. Once convicted, they may face a fine of up to RMB 10,000, or a maximum of three years in prison, or both .

Police pointed out that many fraud gangs abuse local entities and embedded mobile phone identification cards (eSIMs) to engage in illegal activities such as fraud, illegal lending and pornography anonymously. The police take such crimes seriously. Resale, allowing others to use, help others register or hold multiple phone cards without legitimate reasons are illegal. The public must take good care of their ID documents to avoid abuse by criminals.

Further reading

Three criminals arrested for face-to-face arrest

Three criminals arrested for face-to-face arrest

Singapore and Malaysian police teamed up to destroy a gang of 16 people who pretended to be government officials arrested

Singapore and Malaysian police teamed up to destroy a gang of 16 people who pretended to be government officials arrested

According to earlier reports, three men were charged in court on Thursday (February 20) for suspected handing over their phone cards to allow criminals to commit fraud and illegal loans. The 33-year-old man was accused of handing over Singpass information and allowing illegal lending gangs to register for more phone lines to advertise.

Preliminary data provided by the police showed that in January this year, there were more than 3,500 fraud cases, and the victims suffered losses of more than 80.7 million yuan.

To know what crimes abusing the phone card may be committed, the public can browse the official website of the police. The public can also call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or go to www.police.gov.sg/i-witness to provide fraud clues, and all information will be kept confidential.